Linderhof

Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas

Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Twelve Years Ago

I had a theory that if they paid you not to work, don't! And so twelve years ago I did just that. And what a wonderful twelve years it's been!

It's fun to wake up and not have the "going to work" obligation, although, sometimes I have gotten so busy that going to work would look like a rest!!!!

I started working after high school and except for a few weeks at a time, I've worked my entire life. I was a working mom to daughter Sarah. A decision, I really regret.

But I have never regretted for a minute my decision twelve years ago. I have enjoyed each and every day of my retirement!

I've not been idle, however. For I love keeping house, cooking, gardening and friends. Husband Jim and I like to travel, too, and actually in those 12 years we've been to a surprising number of places.

I remember my first day of retirement -- I woke up at 4 a.m. and almost jumped out of bed to start my fall housecleaning. (And I must admit that by the time I retired, it was very very dirty!)

Then I realized that I didn't have to do everything on my first day of retirement and so I settled back into the pillows to wake at a more decent hour!

The house did get clean, the garage got cleaned, the basement got cleaned and I've done it over and over again over these last 12 years.

What do I like best about retirement? The fact that each day is my own. I can do whatever I want with it -- I can plan something or not. It's entirely up to me as to what I do with my day.

15 comments:

That's just how it should be Martha. I worry when people say to me "I'd be bored being at home all day, what DO you find to do?"The answer is I enjoy my life and can choose to do or not to do each day. Most days I find there isn't enough hours in the day though! However did I work and run my home?

Cute post and you have deserved these past twelve years. I was a stay at home mom after having children (was in banking before that) and after being an empty nester thought about rejoining the work force but DH didn't want me to. He said we now have the opportunity to just get up and go if we wanted without a lot of hassle. Like you I have remained very busy with community activities that I sometimes felt overwhelmed BUT it is my choice. Loved this post.

Ah! The life! I did it backwards - stayed at home and "worked" as a professional volunteer for many things - especially my children's schools. As they grew, I "worked" for some pay on staff at their schools. In the second half of my life, with kids grown and on their own - I have no choice but to work . . . and work . . . and this year, for the first time in years - I don't work for myself anymore. Trying to do the retirement thing AND working woman thing at the same time. For sanity sake, I have to merge the two - we'll see how that works.

Life is good. I love being at home and choosing what to do. I try to balance having fun with things that have to be done and things that help others some way or other. It is a peaceful happy life and I can't imagine ever being bored. I'll never get to all the things I'd like to do, and at the age of 66 that doesn't really worry me too much!

Martha,Thanks for this enlightening post! "Mr. Ed" retires this year in December!!! I'm semi~retired. I like only working from 8 am ~1 pm...gives me the rest of my day to enjoy all the things I love...cleaning, cooking, decorating, listending to music,organizing, reading...whatever I choose to do!Life is good, indeed!Fondly,Pat

I'm glad you're enjoying retirement. I've been a stay at home mom and sometimes.... I feel maybe I should have gone to work! Funny how we second guess our decisions. Hey...if you didn't go to work you wouldn't be enjoying retirement!

Martha, Your post is so timely for me, for, you see, I'm at a crossroads...not working at present and really enjoying being home and being able to plan my days...yet, still thinking about going back to work...you see, I have dreams that cost $$$. I'm praying for God's will in this.Thanks for writing this, Martha and I' glad you enjoy retirement.Blessings, Beth

You deserve to now enjoy your'own time'. Dont regret what you did for your daughter, as Mothers we never feel we have done the right thing. You must have taught her a great work ethic. Enjoy your time 'smelling the roses'. xx